Additional Info

Nearby Theaters

The Stella Cinema was designed in a Classical style by the architectural firm Higginbotham & Stafford and was located just to the south of Dublin city centre (not to be confused with the later Stella Cinema (1955-1976) in the Mount Merion district).

It had a Ballyknockan granite facade that had a central window which was flanked by two decorative columns, topped by decorative stone balls. It opened on 29th January 1923 with Violet Hopson in “The Imperfect Lover”. Seating was provided for 1,283 in stalls and circle levels in what was advertised as the ‘Largest Picture Theatre in Dublin But One’. There was a beautiful water fountain in front of the screen which had different coloured lights played onto it during the interval. An additional facility at the Stella was a dancehall on the first floor. It was built for and operated by the independent exhibitors the O'Grady family.

In the 1970’s it hosted several concerts by groups such as The Boomtown Rats, and rock artist Elvis Costello performed on stage in March 1978.

In later years the granite facade was covered over by a metal grille and in September 1981 the Stella was sub-divided into two screens, with seating given as 280 and 180 seats.

In 2003 the Stella Cinema was purchased from the O'Grady family by the Ward Anderson chain and they closed it in August 2004.

According to media reports, some locals are objecting to plans to build a four story block in place of the Stella Cinema. They claim that they need measures to deal with alleged asbestos in the roof structure of the former cinema during any demolition exercise.The replacement building would provide apartments upstairs.

A Planning Appeal has now been made to the Irish National Planning Board for the demolishion of the existing structure, and to erect a mixed development, comprising 4 apartments, retail, fitness centre and all ancillary site works. The case reference is: PL29S.232399